4x4Review Off Road Magazine
One of the big problem areas for our Project Over Easy Scrambler was the cooling system, with the biggest offender being the radiator. The old brass radiator had been modified to support the small block V8 engine conversion but had become a little worse for wear. Additionally, the unshrouded flex fan driven directly off of the water-pump pulley was both hazardous and highly inefficient. A change was due and in keeping with the Project Over Easy theme of installing direct-fit components, we knew just who to call.
Be Cool:During our trip to SEMA in 2010, the 4X4REVIEW.COM team met with the good folks at Be Cool to learn more about their Direct-Fit line of cooling components. In particular, we wanted to learn more about their new line of direct-fit cooling modules for Jeep Vehicles.
Be Cool’s Direct-Fit Module Assemblies are designed as bolt-in replacements of factory cooling components and are available for a wide variety of applications. Each Direct-Fit module is designed with target vehicles in mind. Available in either polished or natural aluminum finishes, the Be Cool components will improve the appearance and performance of your vehicle. Perhaps most importantly, the Direct-Fit cooling modules are designed to be installed with simple hand-tools and without the need for modifications or any special fabrication. The Direct-Fit modules are, well… a direct fit.
Be Cool Direct-Fit Features:
 That last bullet is key these days – Be Cool products are not only made on this continent, the bulk of their products are made in Essexville, MI which is just outside of the automotive motherland of Detroit. The Be Cool team are car guys to the core (pun intended). Be Cool Direct-Fit radiators are available for over 500 applications with crossflow or downflow configuration available based on application. Each Direct-Fit Series Cooling Module includes a Be Cool direct-fit radiator that has two rows of one-inch tubes, a billet filler neck, a drain petcock, and .080 wall, hand-fabricated aluminum tanks.
Additionally, the Direct-Fit Module selected for Project Over Easy included a billet overflow tank, SPAL 16-inch electric fan and all electrical components as well as all cooling module component mounting hardware.
Be Cool Direct-Fit Module # 62030 comes with a radiator designed for installation in a Jeep CJ with a Small Block Chevy engine conversion. Specifically, this requires a radiator with a driver-side inlet and a passenger-side outlet. The included radiator measures 24 inches wide by 18.5 inches tall. The 2 inch thick core is 18 inches wide by 17 inches in height.
This radiator and the supporting Direct-Fit module components will support up to 300 HP. As with all of their Direct-Fit Modules, Be Cool guarantees that Direct-Fit Modules will lower coolant temperature a minimum of 20 degrees or your money back. With this article, we set-off to test the Direct-Fit components for ease of installation, fit within the factory mounting points and cooling effectiveness.
Be Coolant Features:
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The Verdict
The Be Cool Direct-Fit Module passed our primary test. It was, in fact, a direct-fit for the Project Over Easy Jeep CJ8 Scrambler. No modifications were required for installation. The instructions were thorough and clear. The second test, lowering our coolant temperatures by 20 degrees was more difficult to measure as the Project Over Easy Scrambler does not have a temperature gauge with incremented degrees (we’re still running the stock Hot/Cold temperature gauge). That said, there was a clear decrease in the level of the temperature needle in the stock coolant gauge.
Third, the Be Cool Direct-Fit module solved our inefficient cooling fan issue by providing a 16-inch SPAL electric puller fan. This fan pulls 2,360 CFM of air through the Be Cool radiator which is a great deal more than the shroud-less flex fan previously in-place. This fan is thermostatically controlled via a Be Cool supplied thermo-switch. The only item of concern with this set-up is that the SPAL fan covers only a 16-inch circular area in the center of the core. This fan relies on high-flow CFM rather than a rectangular shroud. While we are pleased with the quality and construction of the SPAL fan, we do wish that a full shroud were provided to further increase the radiator’s cooling efficiency.
That said, the electric fan did solve our under-hood safety issue with the Project Over Easy CJ8 Scrambler. The removal of the water-pump pulley-mounted flex fan added degree of safety that will be advantageous when working under the hood as the old flex fan was like a set of whirling razor blades. While this may work great for your average horror-movie villain, it just won’t do in a frequently opened engine compartment. In summary, the Be Cool Direct-Fit module was truly a direct fit. The provided components fit without any modifications and the provided instructions were simple and clear. The resulting cooling performance was improved from stock and an added degree of safety was provided with the removal of the flex-fan. With all of these results so positive, we are pleased to report that the Be Cool Direct-Fit Module is a winner in regards to cooling performance, under-hood appearance and safety and in providing a well designed cooling solution that can be installed without any need for custom fabrication.
If you are looking for a high-performance cooling solution, designed specifically for your vehicle and requiring no custom fabrication, look no further than Be Cool and their Direct Fit Module Assemblies. With over 500 applications, there is a good chance that they will have a solution for your vehicle.
| BeCool Incorporated |
| 310 Woodside Avenue Essexville, MI 48732 Phone: 800-691-2667 Web: www.becool.com |
